Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has declared Monday, August 29 a national holiday in areas where elections are set to be held.
This includes Mombasa and Kakamega counties where the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will conduct gubernatorial elections.
Other areas include; Kitui Rural, Kacheliba, Pokot South, Rongai constituencies and Kwa Njenga Ward in Embakasi South, and Nyaki West Ward in Imenti North.
"In accordance with the Constitution of Kenya (Articles 101 (1), 177 (1) (a) and 180 (1) and the Public Holidays Act (Sections 2(4) and 3), Monday, August 29 2022 has been declared a public holiday in the listed electoral areas.
"Employers around the country are requested to release their employees who are registered voters in the listed electoral areas to enable them to vote," Matiang'i stated.
The CS explained that the limited holiday would enable residents in those areas to exercise their democratic right.
Matiangi's declaration comes barely a day after three petitioners moved to court to compel the government to declare August 29 a national holiday to allow the residents to vote.
The elections in the eight areas had been postponed by the IEBC on August 9 following a mishap in the printing of ballot papers.
Consequent events such as the demise of Embakasi East Returning Officer Daniel Musyoka saw the electoral body postpone the polls further from August 23 to August 29.
"The Commission is concerned that some of its critical staff who objectively and impartially performed their duties at the National Tallying Centre are being intimidated through profiling.
"This has instilled fear within the staff, who are now unable to report to the office for duty," Chebukati lamented.
IEBC arrived at the August 29 date after holding consultative meetings with candidates from the areas.
